USA > Indiana > Pike County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 34
USA > Indiana > Dubois County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 34
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Missionary Baptists .- On the authority of the Rev. Lewis Loveless, we give the following: "The Missionary Baptist Church of Pike County is not numerically strong. There are four churches, numbering about 200 members."
The oldest of these is Union, two miles southwest of Peters- burg, the county seat. It was organized in 1836, by Elder Will- iam Stansil, with some assistance from the Daviess County churches. Its original members were Oias Smith and wife, Newton Battles and wife, James Upton and wife, and Andrew Johnson. In its early history it had a hard controversy with its anti-mission brethren, who opposed an educated ministry, Sab-
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
bath-sche 4. domestic and foreign missions. The opposing brethren withdrew from the church, and formed a new organiz - tion, which soon perished. Its former pastors were Elders F. Slater. P. H. Evans. Lewis L weless and the present. William Hoagland. It has a good house of worship, and numbers about righty members. Lick Creek, about two miles east of Peter,- burg, was organized by Elder Lewis Loveless, assisted by Wilson Creek Church, in 1872. Its charter members were A. B. Green and wife, Hiram Purcell and James Rhoades. It has no house of worship. but does have preaching once a month. by Elder A. B. Green. Hosmer Baptist Church was organizeil in 1872, by Elder W. O. Camp, who was its pastor for two or three years. It has an interest in a good house of worship, but no preaching. Its original members were Forde DeJarnett, Dr. J. F. Smith, Mrs. Christina DeJarnett, Daniel DeJarnett and William Martin. The Baptist Church of Petersburg was organized by Elder P. H. Evans, assisted by the Union Baptist Church, in 1880, Elder Evans preached for it for some time, but resigned for other fields of labor, since which time this church has been without preach- ing. Some of the members of this church are Emily Morgan, W. O. Carter. Benjamin Wyatt and Mrs. Harrison. The man who built up a sentiment favorable to the Baptists, more than any other, was Elder P. H. Evans, who took charge of Union Church in 1860, and preached the word with power. Large num- bers were added under his ministry, but since his ministry the members have greatly diminished. The prayer of the Baptists is: "Lord, send more laborers into Thy vineyard."
Presbyterian Church .- The Presbyterian Church of Peters- burg was organized under the direction of the Vincennes Presby- tery, May 20, 1848, by Rev. John McCord with the following original members: Thomas Davidson, and Isabella his wife, Joseph A. Gray and Nancy M. his wife, Mrs. Margaret Hawthorn, John Hawthorn, Sarah Hawthorn, and Mrs. Sarah B. Posey. For some time the little band was supplied regularly with preach- ing by Rev. H. Patten of Princeton, afterward by Rev. S. McGuire of Washington, who for nearly two years gave them one-fourth of his time. In the spring of 1853 Rev. Abraham T. Hendricks took charge of the church and ministered to it acceptably and successfully until the spring of 1863 when he left for a chaplainey
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in the army. He was succeeded by Rev. John T. Aughey who had been a chaplain and escaped from a rebel prison. Mr. Aughey supplied however but six months. The church next enjoyed the ministry of Rev. Henry W. Fisk who began his labors with them in the spring of 1865, and remained until the autumn of 1870, when he left on account of ill health. Rev. E. C. Johnson, his successor, was the first regularly installed pastor of the church, and labored faithfully from the summer of 1871 to the summer of 1878, when his physical strength was ex- hausted, and he went from the pulpit directly to his bed of death. He was greatly beloved by his people and sincerely mourned by the entire community. Rev. M. L. Milford was next called and installed as pastor in March. 1879. He continued his labors until the summer of 1882 when he resigned on account of impaired health. Rev. David Van Dyke came from Michigan in an- swer to a call to the pastorate in March, 1883. His ministry was characterized by zeal and energy, and during his brief stay he secured the erection of a manse. He closed his labors with the church, December 1, 1884, having accepted a call to the First Avenue Presbyterian congregation in Evansville. Rev. A. W. Freeman is now ministering to the church as pastor-elect. It would be an unpardonable omission in this historical sketch not to mention the Rev. Thomas Martin who came to Petersburg from Martinsburg, Va., in 1855 and resided here till his death in 1872. Though an invalid and incapable of preaching, his influence and usefulness were very great. By his liberal contributions, his council and his aid in the judge's meeting, and in the Sabbath- school-in all these and other ways as also by his exemplary walk and conversation-he assisted much to build up this church, and in his family he has left it a rich legacy. Mention should also be made of Thomas Davidson, an original member and an elder from the organization of the church till his death in 1874. Faithful to the duties of his office, he gave largely of his means toward building the house and maintaining worship within it, and when without a minister, he often read a sermon, aided by Brother Martin who took charge of the introductory and conclud- ing services. The congregation has a comfortable edifice, erected during the ministry of Rev. A. T. Hendricks as appears from the following record made by him in the session book: "October
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1, 1854. This Sabbath was the first ever spent by the church in their own house. It was with evident delight that they convened and united in the observance of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. May it be truly a house of prayer and praise." The eligible lot was donated by Joseph P. Glezen, the lumber by Robert P. Hawthorn, and the bell by Mrs. Hendricks with the assistance of her two brothers, two sisters and a brother-in-law, viz .: Jasper W. Blythe, Cranberry, N. J .: James E. Blythe, Evansville, Ind .; Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, Carrollton, Ky .; Mrs. Mary Haynes, Bardstown, Ky .; and George Green, Trenton, N. T. The present number of communicants is about sixty-five.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
CHARLES D. ALEXANDER, a native of Pike County, was born on the farm, where he now lives, February 25, 1825. He is the second of nine children in the family of Jesse and Maria Alexander, both natives of North Carolina. from which State, in 1824, they came to Pike County. They bought a farm in Washington Township, upon which they afterward resided. The father died in April, 1851, and the mother followed him to the grave in 1865. Charles D. remained with his parents, work- ing on the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age. He then went to Jasper, where he worked at the cooper's trade for two years. At the death of his father he returned home and managed the farm until his marriage. He then located on a farm east of Petersburg, where he remained two years, after which he removed to another farm, which he sold to Morris Tucker. He then removed to Petersburg where he was engaged in the agri- cultural implement business, and as a mail route contractor for nine years. Since that time he has resided upon the homestead farm. He now owns about 400 acres of good land, and is recog- nized as one of the substantial men of the county. He has been three times married. He chose for his first wife Pamelia Thomas, whom he married October 20, 1853. She died April 21, 1864, leaving two children, now Mrs. Leslie Lamb and Mrs. Elijah Malott. October 29, 1865, he was joined in marriage with Emily Denson, who died October 9, 1866, leaving one child, Jennetta, since deceased. His third wife, Elizabeth C. Wheeler, is the mother of five children. Those living are Albert B .. Walter B .. Fred B. and Waughneta G. Mr. Alexander has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and previous to that time was a Whig. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife is a General Baptist.
CAPT. A. H. ALEXANDER, fire insurance agent and justice of the peace of Petersburg, Ind., is a native of Dubois County,
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Ind., bars February 15, 1827. He is the fifth of the nine chil- lien, born to the marriage of Ashbury Alexander and Elizabeth Lindsey, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father, when about twenty-six years of age, came to Indiana. and located in Pike County in 1811, and the following year was married. He soon after removed to what is now Dubois County, where he remained until 1831. when he went to Daviess County. He died there April 15. 1852. The mother died in the same county, February 27, 1863. A. H. Alexander was reared at home. receiving his education in the old log house of that day. At the age of twenty-three he married and located on a farm about four miles from Petersburg, where he remained until 1859. In that year he removed to Jasper, where he was engaged in a general merchandise business until 1861; at the breaking out of the war he assisted in raising Company E, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which company he went into service as its first lieutenant and June 2, 1862, was made its captain. He served in that capacity until the battle of Stone River. when he received a gunshot wound in the arm and side. June 1, 1563, he resigned his commission on account of disability and returned home. Dur- ing October and November of that year he raised Company F, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served as captain until mustered out August 31, 1865. Besides the battle of Stone River. he participated in battles of Perryville, Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville. Decatur ( Ala.), Fort Blakey (Ala.), and numerous lesser en- gagements. Since the war he has resided in Petersburg, engaged in his present business. He is now serving his sixth term as jus- tice of the peace. April 12, 1849 he wa, joined in marriage with Lucy Smith, a native of this county, and to their union have been porn four children, only two of whom, Mary and Laura ( now Mrs. Mart Fleener) are living. Both Capt. Alexander and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of G. A. R. and A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
JAMES RALPH ADAMS, M. D., a prominent physician of Petersburg. Ind., was born in Knox County, March 19, 1824, son of William and Grace ( Roberts ) Adams who were the parents of nine children. The father was of Irish deseent but born in Penn- sylvania. He came to Indiana in 1506 when he was about ten years old, and located in Knox County. He lived a farmer's life and died in 1860. The mother was born and raised in Wales, and came to the United States with her parents when she was a young lady nearly grown. James R. received a better education than the average boy of his times, and after attaining his majority he taught school two years, and at the same time studied medicine. He attended the Medical College of Ohio at Cineinnati during
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the sessions of 1947 Is 99. then came to Petersburg and prac- tired his profession two years, and then returned to Cincinnati and graduated a year later. He then resumed his practice here where he has remained ever since. meeting with flattering snecess. Of late years he has rather retired from active life. In ESSA he married Sarah MeCrillus, a native of Jasper, Ind. They became the parents of three children: MeCrillas. Howard Vigo and Elizabeth (deceased ). Dr. Adams has always been a Whig and Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fra- ternity. He has resided in the county thirty years and is consid- ored a competent practitioner and wide-awake citizen. He served as surgeon in the Fifty-eighth and Fifteenth Indiana Regiments. and served until 1864.
DANIEL C. ASHBY. clerk of the virenit court of Pike Coun- ty. Ind .. and native of the county, was born January 2. 1539. being one of ten children born to Peyton and Louisa ( Crow ) Ashby. The father, who was a practical farmer, was born and raised in Pike County. where he married and raised a large family. He was well and favorably known as an mpretentions and upright citizen. He is now deceased but his wife still lives in the county. In Isol our subject enlisted as a private in Company D. Fifty- eighth Indiana Infantry, and served in this capacity until May. 1562, when he was discharged on account of disability contracted during service. August 16. 1562 he re-enlisted in Company H. Eightieth Indiana Infantry and served as private, sergeant and second lieutenant of his company until April. 1863, when he was promoted to first lieutenant. serving nutil December 15. 1864, when he was wounded at the battle of Nashville and was mustered out May 15, 1515. He then returned home and attended school two or three years. In 1566 he was a candidate for county auditor on the Democratic ticket but was defeated by three majority. He then continued attending school until 106%, when he was elected recorder of Pike County and served two terms. In ISTS he was elected to his present office, and has filled it very efficiently two terms by re-election. April 13. 1570 he wedded Frances Griffin who died January 11. 1876, leaving two children: Frederick H. and Frances A. February 7. 1550. Mr. Ashby married Flora Hargrave, his present wife. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. and K. of L. Mr. Ashby is an industrious. compe tent official and an enterprising member of society.
HENRY C. BRENTON. one of the enterprising and progres- sive farmers of Pike County. is the second son of Wesley Brenton. deceased. (See sketch of Peter 1. Brenton. ) He is a native of the county, having been born in Washington Township, April 16. 1840. He has been engaged in farming all his life, and is well in- formed on all subjects pertaining to the most advanced ideas on agri-
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culture. He has a fine farm and has done much to raise the standl- ard of farmers in this county. He is also one of the le spirits in keeping up the only granger's organization in this part of Indiana. Mr. Brenton obtained a good. practical educatie :. in his youth. He remained at home until the breaking ont of the Rebellion, when. June 2. 1-61. he enlisted in Company C. Seven- teenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered out at Macon. Ga .. August 1s. 1965. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga and Kenesaw Mountain. the Atlanta campaign and the siege of Atlanta, besides numerous engage- ments of less note. JJanuary 1. 1868. he was united in marriage with Kate Harper of Gibson County, and to them have been boru three children. Ella, Julia and Mary. Mr. Brenton is a member of the I. O. O. F., F. & A. M .. G. A. R .. K. of L .. A. O. U. W .. and the Grangers. In politics he is a member of the National Greenback party, and has been deputy sheriff of Pike County for two terms. during which time he performed the greater part of the duties of that office.
PETER BRENTON, one of the oldest native residents of Pike County. was born February 19, IS19. He received but little education in youth, partly owing to his dislike of school. Previous to his marriage, he followed various occupations such as wool-carding, flat-boating, etc. December 23, 1841. he married Nancy Tislow and soon after located on eighty acres of his present farm. He now has 200 acres of well improved land. He is the father of six children. three of whom, Helen A .. widow of Daniel Hawkins, John and Wesley are living. Mr. Brenton is the youngest child of Peter Brenton, in whose honor Petersburg was named. The latter was born in Mercer County, Ky .. and came to this county about the beginning of the present cel- tnry. His principal business was that of farming, though he, at one time, ran a carding machine in Petersburg. When the seat of justice of Pike County was selected. he gave the greater part of the land for the site. He was a man of considerable ability. and was one of the first commissioners of the county. He was twice married. His first wife was Eleanor Smith who died in 1823. About three years later he married Elizabeth Johnson. He was a member of the militia during the war of 1812, and re- ceived a land warrant for his services.
PETER I. BRENTON. one of the most prominent farmers in Pike County, is a grandson of the founder of Petersburg, and a son of Wesley Brenton. The latter was born in Peters- burg, in December, 1812. He married Betsey A. Crow. and lived upon a farm southeast of Petersburg. His death occurred October, 1864. He was the father of six sons and four daughters, wich the subject of this memoir is the oldest. Peter I. was
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born October 17, 1837. He remained at home until after attain- ing his majority. after which he rented and worked land for five years. He then bought 156 acres of land upon which he has since resided and to which he has added until he now has 240 acres. He has erected one of the finest residences in the county, and by his energy, economy and business ability has become one of the county's wealthiest men. December 29, 1859, he was united in marriage with Minerva E. Alexander, a native of Ken- tucky. They have only one child. William H. To him they have given a finished education. Having graduated at the uni- versity of Michigan, he is now employed as a civil engineer by the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Mr. Brenton and wife are members of the General Baptist Church. He is also a Mason, and in politics a Republican.
JOHN BRENTON, trustee of Washington Township, Pike County, Ind., was born October 27, 1853, and is one of four chil- dren in the family of Peter and Nancy (Tislow) Brenton, who were natives of the county in which they have passed their lives. The grandfather, Peter Brenton, was one of the first set- tlers of the town which was named in honor of him. John Bren- ton received his education in the schools of the county and at Oakland City. He remained at home, working on the farm in summer and teaching school in winter, until he was about twenty- seven years old. After marriage he settled on a farm, which he had previously purchased, and upon which he has since resided." He now owns 121 acres of land in the township. In August, 1884, he opened a meat market in Petersburg, which he has since conducted with good success. He deals, also, in live stock to some extent. April 16, 1882, he was united in marriage to Christina I. Argenbright, a native of Crawford County, Ind. They have one child: Ethel, born April 14, 1883. In politics Mr. Brenton is a Republican, and is one of the enterprising citi- zens of Pike County.
ALEXANDER R. BYERS, M. D., of Petersburg, Ind., is one of a large family of children born to the marriage of Thomas and Margaret (Hamilton) Byers, who were natives of Pennsylvania, where they lived and died. Alexander was born in Washington County, Penn., June 15, 1829. At the age of fifteen he entered the West Alexander Academy, and completed his course when he was twenty. He then taught school for about a year in Ohio, and also began the study of medicine. He came to Indiana in 1851, and soon after located in Clark County, where he taught school two years. He then came to Petersburg, and taught school for about seven months, and shortly after entered the office of Prof. J. R. Wilcox, M. D., of Evansville, Ind., and also at- tended lectures at the medical college, of that city. He practiced
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medicine with his preceptor for about three months, when the latter died, and our subject returned to Petersburg in Septem- ber, 1854. In 1861 he was commissioned first-lieutenant of Com- pany I, Forty-second Indiana Volunteers, and served in that capacity in the war of the Rebellion for about eight months. In August, 1862, he was appointed first assistant-surgeon of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Regiment, and in 1863 was appointed sur- geon of the regiment, serving until March, when he re- turned home and resumed his practice. In 1856 he married Mary Morgan, who died in July, 1858, leaving one child, Mary V. In November, 1866, he married Mary F. Hammond. They have six children: Harry W., Anna M., Perry H., John A., OI- iver A. and Ethel May. Mr. Byers is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., also of the Tri-State, Indiana State and Pike County Medical Societies. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
THOMAS A. BYNUM, local editor of the Democrat, was born in Greene County, Ind., July 14, 1859. His father, Daniel A. Bynum, was a native of North Carolina, from which State, when a youth, he came with his parents to Indiana and located in Greene County. There he grew to manhood. was married and lived until 1869, when he removed to Daviess County, where he remained the greater part of the time until his death, which occurred in March, 1883. He was extensively engaged in farming, stock- raising and merchandising. He was treasurer of Greene County for two terms. He married Emma J. Allen, by whom he was the father of ten children, of whom Thomas A., was the sixth. The latter was reared at home, receiving his education in the schools of Washington, Ind. . In 1875 he entered the office of the Washing- ton Gazette where he remained three years. He then went to Vincennes with the proprietor of the Gazette, who established the Commercial in that city. He worked on that paper about one year, and the remainder of the time until 1881, he was em- ployed in the office of the Vincennes Sun. The greater part of the time during the next three years, he worked on the Courier- Journal at Louisville, Ky. Since September, 1884, he has been employed on the Democrat.
CHARLES ADAM BURGER, merchant tailor, of Peters. burg, Ind., was born in Bavaria, December 2, 1842, son of Joseph and Henrietta (Rudolph) Burger. The father died in the old country, in 1880. Our subject was raised with his-parents in Bavaria, securing a fair education in German, also some knowl- edge of French and Latin. He learned his present business of his father. When eighteen years old he came to the United States, and worked at his trade in Erie, Penn .; Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Ky .; Buffalo, N. Y., and New York City, and finally
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came to Petersburg in 1865. where he has remained ever since. He is a flourishing and successful tailor, and has the only estab- lishment of the kind in the city. He owns the large brick block on Main Street, where he does business. It was erected in 1883. March 23, 1868, he married Elizabeth Harsch, a native of Cin- cinnati, Ohio. They have eight children-five sons and three daughters. He is a Republican and Mason, and was born in the Catholic faith, but attends the Presbyterian Church with his family, who are members. Mr. Burger takes an active interest in all worthy enterprises, and has been director of the bank since its organization. His brother, John, has been his partner in business for about six years.
WILLIAM J. BETHELL, auditor of Pike County, Ind., was born October 11, 1848, and is one of five children born to the marriage of John B. Bethell and Elizabeth Fitzgerald. The father is now a resident of Warrick County (see sketch). Will- iam J. Bethell was raised with his parents on the farm in his native county of Warrick, obtaining only a limited education in his boyhood days, but which he has improved in later years by contact with business life. At the age of twenty or twenty-one, he began clerking in a store in his native county, continuing there one year, then studied medicine two years, and practiced that pro- fession in Folsomville until 1873, then he came to Pike County and established a good practice at Winslow, where he remained until 1878, when he removed to White Oak and continued his practice, meeting with good success. In 1882, he was elected by the Republican and Greenback parties to the office of audi- tor of Pike County, and is now filling that office to the satisfaction of all. Although Mr. Bethell's political views were with the Greenback party, and he was first nominated by them, yet to-day his political views are Republican. He has been very unfortunate in matrimonial life, and is now living with his third wife, having lost two previously by death. He has three children; a daughter by his second wife, and a son and daughter by his present wife, whose maiden name was Effie Wells. He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and is a courteous and upright officer, and good citi- zen.
JOHN CROW, ex-sheriff and clerk, was born in Pike Coun- ty, August 27, 1833. He is the seventh child in a family of ten children, born to the marriage of William Crow and Mary Shaw, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The grandfather, Robert Crow, about 1802, came with his family to Indiana, and settled in the eastern part of what is now Gibson County, then Knox County. A short time after his arrival, he was made sheriff of Knox County, which office he was filling at
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